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Sponsored by Unibet, and as good a set of entries as I can remember for this. A few big names in there at the head of the weights, the likes of The New One, Defi Du Seuil, Campeador, and Tigris River, while Divin Bere, Call Me Lord, and Charli Parcs fight for favouritism.
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/11/cheltenham/2017-11-19/686444
I have to go back over 10 years to Detroit City to find my last winner of this, though Song Light went so close for me last year at silly odds. I love this race, and desperate for the winner. As well as the big guns, there’s a good few others catching my eye……
Old Guard – Former winner of this, and after seemingly going off the boil a bit, with a foray over fences not bringing out the best in him, he slowly came back to himself, and he really caught the eye in The Coral Cup, and also shaped well at Chepstow last month. He’s since won at Kempton, and is unchanged for that. This is the right type of race for him I reckon, and he’s clearly no back number. He’s only 4lbs above the mark he won this off, and 33’s is a bonkers price.
Chesterfield – I bigged this guy up a few times last season, and got in nice and early before he was subject to a decent gamble in The Lanzarote, but he didn’t quite do it. I was happy enough to leave him alone then, at Aintree and Ayr. He then went on to win nicely at Aintree and Ayr. I think 148 is a fair mark, and on those runs in the spring, he should have more to offer. Shortlist material at 20’s
Project Bluebook – A very nice run in The Galway Hurdle, and despite the numerous entries, I think this one of the more likely JP types. I can see John Quinn having him spot on for this, and just have a hunch that this is the plan for him. 25’s is very fair.
Flying Tiger – He did me the biggest of favours in The Fred Winter this year, and he owes me nothing. He’s shown he likes The Old Course, and he’s not been hammered for that Festival win. He beat market leader for this, Divin Bere, fair and square that day, and will meet him here again on decent terms. It’s worth checking out his run on the flat at Ascot last time, where he looked as if he had been thrown in at the deep end, but ran very very well. Not surprisingly he’s as low as 12’s, with the sponsors going 16’s.
Jenkins – A real talking horse last year, but it never really happened for him, and when he won quietly at Ffos Las in April, it was the first we’d seen of him, since flopping at Kempton on Boxing Day. Not been plain sailing with him, but I find it very difficult to forge that day when he won a bumper at Newbury in the style of a serious horse. These talking horses can get you hung, but big run at Ascot on Saturday will see the 20’s evaporate very quickly. Off of 137, he must have a serious serious chance. My idea of the winner at the moment.
Song Light – As mentioned earlier, this stablemate of Chesterfield, went so close for me last term, and he could just be the forgotten horse here, and no surprise if this has been the plan since then. There’s little doubt he was laid out for it last year. He did refuse to race in The Swinton, but I can only guess/assume that they’ve ironed that quirk out. We’ll get an idea of his mindset at Ascot on Saturday, and if he jumps off, I’d have him on my radar here at 25’s.
Midnight Maestro – Mixed good runs with dismal runs last year, and any hopes I had of him being a Supreme horse, quickly evaporated. I haven’t forgotten the good runs though, and I’ve always had him in mind for big handicaps this season. Another who may head to Ascot on Saturday, and I’m expecting a big run. 25’s.
Charbel – Thrown in on his Arkle run, but will this be the plan? 25’s
Mohaayed – Very interesting horse. Ran very well in The Scottish Champion Hurdle, and arguably unlucky in The County. He’s got a big one in him, and though he’s firmly on my radar for a repeat bid in The County, no reason why this wouldn’t be a serious target too. 20’s
Lagostovegas – In very decent form in Ireland, including taking care of the very decent Top Ofthe Ra a couple of times, and ran a screamer in The Cesarewitch. Like Charbel, no weight published in The RP, but if he is going, he looks hard to ignore at 33’s
that’s a fab price.Only scratching the surface here, as I said, it really is a great set of entries.
Although I haven’t struck a bet yet, all those mentioned make serious each way appeal, and if pushed, my early #1 would be…..
Jenkins 20’s
You’ll remember how close Zubayr went for me at Ayr last season VtC, and I just don’t want to Desert him here. Although he couldn’t follow up at Haydock, he met a smart horse there and he has went on to have a good summer on the flat. He is 28-1 but I haven’t had a betvyet. One of the others you mentioned Project Bluebook, I bet at Galway that day and I would agree, he is a nice prospect.
I’ve taken both of these in your Ten To Follow, so I think this would be a nice race to land.
I am not having a bet on either and will wait till probably the week before and also bebcause I like Elgin and Mount Mews as well
One of your best previews, Bobby and that’s saying something – the new layout makes a hell of a difference too. Cracking stuff.
Thanks Joe
Yeah, that layout cuts down on the rambling a wee bit lol. Was shattered after my backshift last night, so just had a look at the ones that really jumped out, but knowing this race I’ll be changing my mind every 5 minutes.
@ Lemons
Yeah, Lemons, The Greatwood would pay nicely in The Ten To Follow, plenty of prizemoney on the go.
I don’t know what it is with Bluebook here. Not a horse I’ve really got involved with before, but he really just jumps out to me here. Good luck whatever you go for.
Old Twister puts TNO in having run in just one handicap in his life – last time out. But this is his time of year and if the ground is soft enough he could make it a proper test from the front although his tendency to jump right allied to his big weight will probably see him run out of it. Be a good in-running trade though.
Elgin’s win today reminded me of the good run Mohaayed put up almost a year ago when runner-up to him. Skelton has a fine record in this race and 20/1 Mohaayed looks excellent value. Looks like Elgin might miss the Greatwood (no decision but trainer says it might just come a bit soon) and anyway, it’s beginning to look to me that he might just be better going right handed. Mohaayed it is.
london prize at 20/1 e/w, thrown in off his current flat mark (how many get in)?
Ill take a small piece of the 12/1 for divin bere, think this horse will prove to be something decent (cost me a few quid at cheltenham!)
A live race though, a case can be made for a good few, campeador another who would interest me at 16/1 but ill stick with the two for now
Old Guard looks over priced to me at 33/1, bit disappointed to see the horse entered for this weekends Elite hurdle
The maximum field size is 24.
There are 10 more entries this season (47 in total) than last year, so we may see a maximum field yet.
The weights come out on Wednesday (8th November)
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
On first look I like MISTERTON and A HARE BREATH.
Misterton won with a fair bit in hand last time and beat some decent handicappers in fair form and Elgin was behind so the form has been franked.
A Hare Breath was fourth in this last year and is only a couple of pound higher and then went novice chasing without much success. If running this could be one of two things.Either it is a confidence booster to go back chasing or they think it is a hurdler. I am hoping the latter.I have gone in and backed MISTERTON again at 14/1. I think Harry has targeted this race with this horse!!
The other one I have backed now is a big price 25/1 AMOUR DU NUIT who has been running round the gaff tracks and could end up being a good horse!!
Serious plunge today on Jenkins, Bobby: 5/1 now. You’ll be laying like a hen on Betfair!
Divin bere coming out wasnt a surprise, ill be hopeful that london prize gets the go ahead as hes been left in at this stage anyway,
Surprised to read that frank berry has confirmed defi du seuil comes here, a lofty mark to overcome first time out and would be quite a tough race, ill avoid him but if your a dds fan its a great price to be able to take
Aside from my london prize bet ill wait until the end of the week, but if turned out quickly flying tiger would be a good price atm
Dont like the fav whatsoever, if he wins i wont be disappointed as i couldnt have him for this on anything hes done, his mark dosent match his achievement
Turning out to be a tricky race
I was in two minds Joe, but I had a moment of clarity, and have greened out for a decent profit, would be madness not to. I had topped up at 14’s as well, so made complete sense.
Delighted with how it’s went, and now to find a backup.
At the moment torn between Mohaayed and Project Bluebook.
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